By Martin Chiwanda
Nsanje, October 15, Mana: Ministry of health says management of cholera cases is on the right track as the country has so far only registered three cholera cases this year.
Cholera Focal Person in the ministry of health, Wiseman Chimwaza revealed the development in an interview Tuesday after he made a presentation to Nsanje District Executive Committee on the introduction of Oral Cholera Vaccination (OCV) campaign week.
Chimwaza said the country is doing well in terms of managing cholera due to the promotion of access to safe water and improvement in sanitation which are the pillars of cholera management and control.
“The country is now doing well in terms of cholera management and control. For instance, in the year 2016/2017 the country registered 939 cases and 32 deaths. In the subsequent year, the country recorded 26 cholera cases and one death. This year, which is ending this month in as far as cholera calendar is concerned, we have only registered three cases and no death.
“So, as per the statistics, cholera cases are really dropping due to the increased access to safe water and improvement in sanitation as they are the pillars in the management of cholera,” said Chimwaza.
On the OCV to be administered in four districts including Nsanje which are considered to be the hotspots for cholera outbreak, Chimwaza said it will help to have no cases in the future.
He however, said the vaccine will work effectively if people in the targeted districts will observe all the indicators of Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).
“The vaccine is targeting 260, 000 people in Nsanje from ages one and above. We are targeting other districts like Phalombe, Zomba and Machinga which are the hottest areas in as far as cholera outbreak is concern.
“We want people to get vaccinated and also be observing the WASH issues so that the fight against the cholera outbreak should be achieved,” said Chimwaza.
Nsanje District commissioner, Dr Medson Matchaya welcomed the development as he described it as a milestone in the work of fighting cholera outbreak in the district.
Matchaya noted that Nsanje district has always been hit by cholera outbreak, hence, the coming in of the vaccine will control the emergence of the disease in the district.